<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Bloodedge]

Yugi's primary thought pattern had shifted. If that bell choker had done any work whatsoever, either its effect was weak... or the loss was more dangerous than the System could tolerate. That was worth looking into. So, too, was whatever managed to actually break something from the System. Miko mentioned it breaking, and Yugi stopped in his tracks. "... How the fuck..." was all he could say. With nothing else coming to mind, Yugi could only pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration.

In the meantime, Satoru was delivering a brief explanation of the entire morning thus far. When it was no longer possible to be heard from outside, Makima questioned one of the three points given. What did he mean by the line about passing along his will? The glint of those glowing eyes was made visible to Makima over the rim of his glasses during a forward lean. "Can't tell? The little bunny here is full of me. The Red kind," he said as if that would explain everything. "But, you know how it goes. Mana Reversal is a hell of an ability," he added, doubting Makima needed any additional explanation, but feeling it would sell the moment to give it anyway.

[Apollymi]

Yugi and Miko were gently switching back to their previously boxed and abandoned conversation. Her choker was broken and she told Yugi about it, assuming he'd fix it. Of course, she also expected him to be upset, she was too, after figuring out it was broken. "How is relative, check the gallery... I can't be sure exactly when it happened... but it was during my 'Calculated Risk Taking' upon meeting Go-sei..." Miko said while watching the timer tick and tick and tick... the seconds were winding down. While Miko watched her own timer and tried to think of what outfit she'd be switching into, she couldn't help but notice the oddity of the conversation between Gojo and Makima.

Makima was looking at Miko now, her eyes trained on the girl as if she was trying to see through her. Gojo claimed the girl was full of him, and that didn't seem to be a lie at all. He also claimed she'd learned Mana Reversal. A small smirk appeared on Makima's face and Miko could practically hear her movements. "How did that happen? Though the use of Mana Reversal would explain how she's standing after you. A-ranks have died dealing with you..." Makima stated as she stared at the small girl. Miko got to the point of perfect stillness looking like a deer caught in the headlights. "I'm in danger." that sentence was so subtle, so quiet, it almost felt like nothing. But then a notification popped up which made the girl, breathe a sigh of relief. Her time as Gojo's pet had ended. She'd received her bonuses to movement speed, and her token. At the very least it meant she could change clothes before they entered any Dungeons and that she'd managed not to disappoint Gojo during their exchange. All the while Makima was gazing over Miko's form studying her body and seemingly thinking something just under the surface.

[Bloodedge]

Yugi had a question for the universe at large. Based on what he'd seen during their 'tutorial' phase, items purchased or created within the System were of a very different and superior quality to what humans understood. Nothing normal could have broken that choker, but... Miko's mention of checking the gallery gave Yugi all the information he needed. "Yeah, not happening. Goddamnit something's missing," he griped. It would be then that Yugi delved into the System's menus again.

Makima wondered how Miko developed the Mana Reversal technique. Satoru wasn't one to say; he only shrugged in response, exaggerating the move no less. "I didn't teach it," he stated plainly. Still perusing the System via various screens, Yugi chimed in at that time. If no one else was going to explain, he'd do so via his own observations just to pass the time. "The System had an update that balanced our stat points. Since we had to go through shit with a nerf, we got comp. Among that comp was a blank Skill Rune ─ which would otherwise cost 10 million gold by the way ─ that can be used to acquire a random Skill based on whatever mana is fueled into it. It's meant to be a catalyst over a long period of time, but I'm guessing Bondmates are treated a little differently... especially since the ingoing mana was overwhelmingly potent in both cases. Useful shit," he explained, seeming mostly disinterested in everything else going on at the time.

[Apollymi]

Miko had told the lad to check the gallery, but she could understand that he might not be in the mood to currently see things that could be distressing. There were also the first few pictures of her current attire and some interesting POVs because of her time spent with Ren. But all of that could wait, is notice that things didn't make sense because something was missing was noted. Miko agreed, it was odd for it to break in the first place. It didn't even break when it wasn't working when she lost Resonance for them. "Fair, something is weird... I have a box for it," Miko murmured. She'd been thinking something was odd surrounding Gojo since their meeting and it was only made more clear.

Gojo explained that he didn't teach the technique to the girl. Makima was going to ask more questions but it appeared she didn't need to. Yugi came with a response as he thought and passed the time, and Miko tried her best not to draw any more attention to herself. But in hearing the bit about the cost of those Runes, Miko couldn't help but mutter. "Goddamn Brainface..." she thought about the pricing and could see it being one of those things they couldn't even afford until they were too strong to need them. "What a useful bit of information as well," Makima said. If they couldn't simply purchase those things, she supposed it wasn't anything to worry about initially but she couldn't have anyone learning her personal skills with the apparent ease that Miko had picked up Gojo's. "So, you overloaded her body and she lived, she learned your skill and she's using it now to keep herself alive..." Makima said those words and there was something behind them, was it amusement or excitement? Miko could hear it, but she couldn't quite tell. And it made her uneasy. "How is the skill treating you?" she directed a question to Miko which the girl answered easily enough, though not without a mental hiccup initially. "Waah♪~ It's a strange one to use... and I don't know how long it's going to take to make it more efficient, but it's definitely doing what I need it to do so I'm happy to have it," Miko offered with a smile on her face which seemed very happy. Well she was still high, she couldn't help being a little giddy. "Have you gotten other skills from your Bondmates?" Makima asked of both of them.

[Bloodedge]

Whatever oddity was going on here, Yugi couldn't quite figure it out yet. Miko apparently had a 'box' for the matter. What was that even meant to do? Well, there was no harm in finding out. "Not much point telling me it exists if that's all you're going to say," he said impatiently. Yugi had already switched from pinching the bridge of his nose to chewing his thumbnail. He'd be doing that throughout the process of scanning the System and explaining his take on recent events to Makima. Of course, his attention was split ─ mostly because Makima's interests seemed a bit on the strange side to him.

For that information to be so useful, there was a distinct lack of the excitement he'd expect from Makima. She prodded at the Skill acquired by Miko. That wasn't strange as an isolated event, but it was supporting evidence to a forming hypothesis. By the time Makima asked the pair if they'd acquired any other skills from Bondmates, Yugi couldn't stop himself from snickering. "Sou..." he muttered, grinning deviously and looking through the System screen at the red-haired woman. "It doesn't seem to work like that, apart from the exception of a blank Rune. We normally get Skills as a chance drop after killing something, or breaking down an artifact through the System. It'd be pretty reasonable to assume Skills will eventually be shared both ways when it comes to Bondmates ─ at least to some extent. Helluva power you've got stored in that body, huh?" he asked. Satoru was leaning against the chairwoman's desk by then, stretched at its edge like some woman posing for pinups on the hood of a car. He seemed to have moved there in an instant, even leaving Miko's leash behind just to view the Players from a greater distance. "Woah, freaky. Get ousted~" he commented playfully.

[Apollymi]

Miko had mentioned her boxing information concerning the oddities she'd noticed. The thing missing wasn't just that this was a strong individual. She had commentary to make about her personal discoveries but she wasn't sure if they were needed currently. Still, Yugi's impatience seemed to make itself known as he began chewing on his thumb again, something she saw while his brain working at a fairly high compacity. "It's not big idea yet just a bunch of little things. His route had weird conditions and an odd pop up. And a freakishly high start for someone who isn't really interested in me. His power is innately different from others we've come across so far. I can't hear him moving and it's not an assassin thing... I'm familiar with that now. His mana is dense it feels like..." her thought trailed off, it wasn't quantifiable yet, but it felt closer to their 'Training Ground' than something in this world.

Still there was Makima watching the pair, and it would be Yugi answering her question... though not directly. No he'd put together quite a bit in the space of a moment. He was grinning and all. Miko shivered. There was something about that 'Sou' she liked hearing. But Makima's ringed eyes remained on the lad. He'd given himself to her, but she wasn't sure how to feel about his very correct guess. "You put all that together from a line of questioning I asked. Your head must be a very busy place," she said. Miko's eyes widened in that moment. She knew evasive words better than most. At the same time Gojo did that strange movement again. Upon the joking bit about her being ousted, Miko held her hands up in the air still mitted. " Was he not this conversational with you?" Makima questioned of Gojo directly choosing him over the complexities of Yugi as a target. She also let her thoughts wander a bit watching the girl practically surrender a second time after realizing Yugi had called the woman out. She could only assume the girl still found her frightening in some way. "Bunnies are cute and all but I think she'd make a better doll. Especially with how quiet she choose to be in moments like this. It's interesting to see the shift," Makima said about Miko, still deflecting but with a control freak's edge. The girl had said only what needed to be said before and passed it off to her partner, she'd determined what she needed to say and not say based on him. Makima could practically see her little brain working and her form deferring and reacting. She saw the girl as a point to press against and with a physical body capable of holding up against Gojo she should be rather fun, especially while she was still so compact. Such a thought made something strange happen right in the corner of Miko's vision, a random pop up...

〔SYSTEM NOTICE — INSTANT QUEST〕

Instant Quest: "Makima's Doll"

Description:
Shido Makima sees potential in your cute frame.
Let her doll you up—literally.
Resonance with Yugi awaits if you play along.

Objectives:

• Allow Makima to dress and style you (0/1)
• Endure her "extreme" touches without resistance (0/1)
• Strike a submissive pose for her approval (optional for bonus reward)

Reward (on completion):

• +10% Resonance with Yugi (sync boosts +10% for 24 hours)

Bonus (submissive pose):

• +5% additional Resonance with Yugi

System Remark:
Makima likes her dolls perfect.
Don't crack under her touch, cute one.
Yugi will feel the Resonance too—he's waiting.

[Bloodedge]

There were some nuggets of information about the oddities surrounding Gojo Satoru. Alas, those tidbits only made things stranger still. He recalled noting the unusual way they moved from Tae's apartment to the H.A. Headquarters, but he couldn't weight it against the general population of Hunters after seeing so few of high rank. Miko not hearing the man move was a feat, but not one that held much weight toward finding answers. "I'd say spatial manipulation, but that's too stupidly obvious. Wait, no... that's not the point," he said. With a grumble and a sigh to follow, Yugi shook his head. "Don't care anymore. Worrying about it later," he decided.

The simple fact was: Yugi's head was a very busy place. Makima made the claim herself, but what did he have to say about it? "At least busy enough to now know there's a second layer of power, considering the extra lock you just put on that vault you're hiding it all in," he said not as a matter of persistent prodding, but simply to make his point clear. Before Yugi was able to continue, Satoru had a reply to offer the chairwoman. "A few words. Mostly complaining about how we got here, what he could have done without the interruption, something about missing Resonance..." he chattered. Just then, Yugi continued. "For the record, I don't care what kind of shit you're hiding. I've got some guesses, but I won't bother. That's not the secret vault I'm trying to get into. Also, off-topic, but I'm guessing those dickheads earlier had something to say about whatever Gate you were trying to commandeer? The guy in charge looked too happy. I'm also guessing whatever Gate they're going to is something I still want a piece of. Food for thought. I'm a certified crashout."

[Apollymi]

Miko and Yugi both had active enough minds to think about what was going on with Gojo based on observations. Though neither had enough information both of them had enough to begin their theorizing. Spatial Manipulation was the obvious guess, Miko also assumed something like that based on the lack of being able to hear anything about the movements, but that wasn't the point. Her brows furrowed gently as she looked to the lad with her. She wanted to know what he knew, but apparently such a thought was being put on hold. "Goddamn it," Miko muttered softly. Whatever the case, she supposed they'd get back to it later.

Before anything else, Yugi made his clarifying statement and Makima remained mostly calm. "It doesn't seem like just knowing that would be helpful," Makima said almost casually but there was a certain itch created by this lad's speech. For the moment the group was hearing Gojo's take on the kinds of words that Yugi managed to share, not just the ones that outed Makima but the ones he'd shared along the way. Makima wondered if they both would get to see different sides of the new pets, and this was apparently the case. "What's Resonance?" Makima claimed, she wanted to know the exact nature of the children's relationship. "It seems to be the number applied to how in-sync we are with each other," Miko answered that one as such things were fairly common in Otome Games. "Also what kind of doll do you want?" Miko asked Makima directly after her eyes shifted. "You are very free with yourself aren't you," Makima asked rhetorically. "Come. I want a bride doll," Makima confirmed of the girl fully observing her choices from the point she spoke forward. "I accept." another acceptance occurred aloud as Miko considered her options. Resonance going down was indeed her fault. They were indeed at 45 percent and had only gone up because of their individual completion of goals. Miko could do her part to fix it herself, even if she had to endure 'extreme' touches whatever that meant.

Beyond that point though it seemed that a couple of things were confirmed by Yugi. "I see. Another thing you put together with just context clues? It was... about that. Still, if you want to fight that particular Dungeon you will still get your chance," Makima said with a small smirk. "I am going to have to go with a secondary plan for your current first Dungeon. For now though I'm going to dress my new doll and you're going to explain things I need to understand about the rest of your growth." she offered.

[Bloodedge]

Though he was content to move on from the yet unknown secrets of Gojo Satoru's power structure, progressing to a different topic proved similarly annoying. Makima eventually questioned Resonance. Yugi did his best to remain composed in the face of that question, knowing how closely-tied to their lives the Resonance system was, and having his own thoughts about an eventual loss of it. "It─" Ah, but Yugi's explanation wouldn't come. Miko decided it was time to open her mouth and share information. He pinched the bridge of his nose again. "... Yeah, that. That and other potential weapons. Should be fine. Potential power and control over everything should override potential power and control over everything with a splash of bad blood to go with it," he grumbled, seemingly to no one in particular.

While Yugi shuffled through some technically unrelated thoughts, Miko agreed to play the part of Makima's doll. He assumed there was actually a quest of interest on her end. Was there confirmation of lesbian routes? No, that surely would have appeared much earlier. Regardless of the details going on there, Makima mentioned the ability to experience that other Dungeon despite a proper guild having possession of it. As for that being something he'd pieced together from context clues, Yugi would only proceed to repeat the process. It was quite strange that they came to complain while looking like they were prepared to raid the Dungeon immediately. "Sou ka. Is it a last day kind of thing, or does failing inside a Dungeon also cause Dungeon Breaks?" he wondered. There was still more. While deciding she'd be dressing a new 'doll' in the form of Miko, Makima wanted to know more things about their growth. "You got questions, I got answers. Preferably of the sexy variety. You know, 'cause... power system and other such convenient excuses to perv on hot chicks."

[Apollymi]

Miko had chosen to answer Makima's question because she understood what she wanted to know. Oddly enough because she found the woman frightening and wasn't just made horny she figured her in with her would be a bit different. Perhaps she hadn't done as much to garner faith with Yugi, but she had also meant what she said about being reliable even when it didn't appear that way. Miko knew that what her partner missed seemed to be things he couldn't think of, and it was hard to put together a puzzle or a strategy without a full picture, as such she'd take on her necessary parts of the burden and leave room for him to clean up any explanations she made and earn himself a bit more favor. "He's very unhappy with you..." Makima mentioned to Miko having noted that nose bridge pinching an act of frustration. "I know. I'll make it up to him later... if it's necessary," Miko said with her same odd demeanor. She figured if he felt the increase in resonance and understood her a bit better it'd probably be easier for them to manage, but it was definitely something he'd have to open himself up to, not the other way around. The 'hine/ore/megane' type mix had odd parameters and even though they bonded physically, she didn't expect him to completely understand her emotionally or anything yet. They'd only known each other a short while and their general vibe held some residual animosity anyway. 'Not going to talk about how Brainface finally gave me a quest for a girl and it's the scary yandere lady! I spent all day working over a girl and you only acknowledge this one because what? She already has a connection with the right gendered player? Fucking bullshit!' Miko was silently ranting to herself even as Yugi grumbled. Her face so honest she was practically pouting while she stood there.

In the moment while Yugi and Makima were speaking, Miko would be banishing those gloves and using her phone to make the necessary purchases. Makima had to be allowed to dress her, so Miko would treat it like a shopping trip to her aunt and show all the options that were available and put them together. While she busied herself with that, Makima looked to Yugi and smiled. "Clever boy." Makima's first words were those of praise and she found it amusing that he'd realized what was going on with so little information to go off of. "It is both of those things. It only has about 36 hours left on it, as it showed up in a place populated enough to be noticed. But Dungeon breaks occur naturally at approximately seven days, or when everyone who has gone inside dies," Makima explained. Beyond this point though, if Makima had questions the boy had answers, though he preferred things to remain 'sexy' as he put it, so he could 'perv' on hot chicks. "That's fairly easy," Makima commented, specifically about the lad's ability to be manipulated by the most straight forward means. No matter... "Are the activation of your 'routes' just happenstance or can you force their activation? And are they locked to your preferences or gender specific?" she wondered in a straightforward way. At the same Miko raised her hand just a bit."Yes?" she asked the girl giving her permission to speak. "Can I put the clothes over there so you can choose?" she asked willing to leave the woman to her conversation otherwise. "Yes." she answered simply. And to accommodate an OCD she could tell existed for someone else. Miko organized straight rows of free manniquins from the System. Each containing different pieces for wedding ensembles on their own. Dresses, veils, garters, under garments, accessories. A small collection of just wedding related attire would appear for her perusal. That little smirk returned. "Strip." Makima said finally standing and moving to look through the materials. "HAI♪~" Miko chirped in a way that made Makima's brow raise just slightly, there was an odd power in that voice. Miko would do as she was told, though still, high... it became a dancing de-equipping of everything else she was wearing, for the viewing pleasure of all present.